Perceval, 'I am rejoiced to hear thee. For
I thought when I saw thee that thou hadst a proud and a hard heart. But
as thou wert a beauteous and lovely maiden I thought much of thee; and
had it not been foreordained otherwise, I would have loved thee above
all women and wedded thee.'

The sister's pale face flushed.

'Nay, but thou hadst a greater glory in store for thee,' she said. 'For
thou shalt find the Holy Graal and restore it to this kingdom, and with
it weak men shall forsake their leanings to the old law of hate, and
cleave only to Christ and His new law of love.'

'It is as God may will it,' said Perceval.

In a little while he strengthened and rose from his pallet, and fared
forth towards the north where his widowed mother sat in her lonely
hall, waiting for him whose fame was sweet in every man's mouth.

As he passed through the land, he saw how it had already begun to smile
again. Men went to their work unafraid, the corn was brightening on the
hills, the cattle lowed, women sang at their work, and children played.
And all blessed him as he rode.

Thus was ended at last the sorrow in the land of King Pellam which was
brought in by the Dolorous Stroke which Sir Balin had given a
generation before.

VIII

HOW SIR OWEN WON THE EARLDOM OF THE FOUNTAIN

Now the young page Owen, who had saved King Arthur from midnight murder
at the hand of the evil Sir Turquine, whom Lancelot slew, had tarried
at the court of the king, and in prowess and knightly achievements was
among the most famous of the knights of the Round Table. And always was
he wishful to go on strange adventures, however far might be the
country, or dangerous the ways thereto, or cruel and crafty the foes.

One day King Arthur was at Caerleon-upon-Usk, and sat conversing with a
few of his knights in the presence-chamber. With him was Sir Owen and
Sir Kay, and there was also Sir Conan and Sir Bedevere. The queen sat
near them, while her handmaidens stood by the window at needlework.

In a little while Arthur said he would sleep until the horn sounded for
dinner. For he had come from London late the night before, and had not
had his full rest.

'But,' said he, 'do you, my knights, continue your talk, and tell each
other tales as before, and if you are hungry, Kay will give you collops
of meat and horns of mead.'

So the king slept on his broad seat of green rushes, over which was
spread a splendid covering of flame-coloured satin. A